Seattle from NCAA Division I Edges Bearcats, 5-4

SALEM, ORE. -- Seattle University, which competes in NCAA Division I, slipped past the NCAA Division III Bearcats of Willamette University, 5-4, on Friday, Feb. 5 at the Courthouse Tennis Club. Willamette fell to 0-2 on the season, with both losses to Division I opponents. Seattle improved to 1-2.

The overall match was tied at 4-4 before it was decided by #6 singles. Yusuke Kanehira of Seattle rallied to defeat Luke Lagattuta (Sr., Albuquerque, NM/Highland HS) of Willamette in the #6 match, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1.

Earlier in the afternoon, Lagattuta helped Willamette take a 2-1 lead by combining with Michael Baumgartner (Fr., Albany, OR/West Albany HS) to win #3 doubles. Lagattuta and Baumgartner edged out Zachary Williams and Kyle Rapp of Seattle, 8-6.

The #1 singles match provided the toughest battle prior to #6 singles. Seattle's top player, Shkretbtan, narrowly defeated Houser of Willamette, 7-5, in the first set. Shkretbtan prevailed in the second set, 6-2.

Meske won #2 singles for the Redhawks by downing Baumgartner, 6-4, 6-1. At #3 singles, Ferguson of WU outlasted Boorkman in straight sets, 6-4, 6-2. The remaining singles victories went to Wong of Willamette at #4 and to Andrew Tran of Seattle at #5.

Willamette will return to the courts on Saturday, Feb. 13, when the Bearcats will take on George Fox University in their first Northwest Conference match of the season. The action is scheduled to start at 4:30 p.m. at the West Hills Racquet and Fitness Club in Portland, Ore.